Kythnos Page 4

Dryopida and Kanala

From Merichas another
road leads up to Dryopida, the only other real village on the island. Dryopida was once the island capital.
Its snow white houses are built on either side of a dry river bed. Its Katafiki Cave was used by islanders in times of attack.
The cave is at the southern edge of the village. It has many decorative stalagmites and stalactites.

Dryopida is nestled on the sides
of a small ravine. Its red-tiled roofs look Spanish or Italian. It's divided
into two area– agrarian Pera Rouga by the river valley and Galatas the
upper village, where there are crazily paved streets and almost no cafes. Galatas was once a great ceramics center, now only one pottery remains
belonging to the Milas family, still in business after five generations.

From Dryopida the bus
continues to Kanala a popular summer area overlooking the sea
with many villas and a grouping of sheltered coves with some small sandy
beaches. The church dedicated to the island's patroness, Panagia Kanala, is located here. There's a venerated icon in the
church, supposedly painted by St. Luke, but probably painted by one of the Skordilis family. The icon was reputed to have been found in a canal,
hence the Virgin Kanala appellation. The church is surrounded by shaded picnic grounds, which fill up with pilgrims on her feast days, Aug. 15 and
Sept. 8.

From Kanala, a rough path leads down to Flamboura beach on
the west coast.

Drinking and Dining

There are good eateries in Kythnos, some are within the hotels. Merichas has several good spots. There are fewer choices in Dryopida, Loutra,
and Kanala but you can find food in every village.

Accommodations

See our greece hotels for a complete look at accommodations available on this island.